The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has committed to maintaining the current state of the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and stated he will not pursue a pay-per-mile road-user charging (RUC) system if re-elected.
In a letter to Andy Lord, the commissioner of Transport for London, Khan emphasised the need for continued action against air pollution but clarified that his approach would steer clear of further ULEZ modifications or new RUC schemes.
Instead, Khan said his strategy focuses on enhancing alternative pollution reduction measures such as the promotion of walking and cycling, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city.
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However, the pledge was met with skepticism by Susan Hall, the Conservative Party’s mayoral candidate, who criticised Khan for previously expanding the ULEZ. Hall accused Khan of misleading Londoners and called for a change in leadership to address the city’s air quality and transportation challenges more effectively.
A spokesperson for the mayor reaffirmed Khan’s opposition to a pay-per-mile scheme, accusing the Conservative Party of attempting to distort his position on the matter.
The ULEZ, initially launched in central London in 2019 to combat air pollution, has been a focal point of controversy, especially following its expansion to cover all of Greater London in August 2023.
The scheme imposes a daily charge of £12.50 on vehicles not meeting specified emission standards, aiming to reduce air pollutants in the UK capital.
